Google is preparing for the official launch of the Google Pixel 2: three versions will be launched, including one with a very large screen
Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL are now on their way. The Mountain View company has organized for October 4 an event where it will present the two new smartphones, a Pixelbook (laptop that will run on Chrome OS) and a mini version of the Google Home.
The attention of users and trade press, however, will be focused on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The two smartphones are Google's response to the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the presentation of the iPhone X and iPhone 8. The Pixel 2 will be a smartphone with a small size, with a screen of just under 5 inches. The Pixel 2 XL, however, will be the real opponent of the top of the range launched by Samsung and Apple: 6-inch screen and borderless design. Also interesting is the pricing policy that Google has adopted for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL: slightly higher than last year, but lower than those of the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone X.
Collaborations with LG and HTC?
According to rumors inside Google, to make the Pixel 2 the U.S. giant has collaborated with the company HTC. The same one that also worked on the 2016 Pixel. According to some market experts, however, HTC has only worked on the "smaller" version of the new smartphones. The Google Pixel 2 XL, in fact, should have been made in collaboration with LG. Among the most interesting technical features we definitely find the Qualcomm processor the Snapdragon 836. Although other rumors speak of the Snapdragon 835. The smallest of the Pixel, the one on which we currently have more information, will have a 4.97-inch screen with Full HD resolution and 4GB of RAM. And of course it will run on Android 8.0.1 Oreo. Of the Pixel 2 XL instead we know that it should have a 6-inch QHD AMOLED display. All Pixel 2 models will also be water and dust resistant, but it is not clear whether they will be certified as IP67 or IP68.
Design Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Thanks to images released on the Net three weeks in advance of the official presentation, the design of the Pixel and Pixel 2 has now been revealed. The shapes of the two smartphones are very similar to those of the previous model: Google has made only minor changes. The camera will be slightly more prominent, while the glass surface that covers the top of the device is slightly smaller. Mystery about how the front will be, but it is very likely that at least the Google Pixel 2 XL will be borderless, that is, with very thin bezels.
Prices Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Along with the design, the price of the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL has also been anticipated. Google has decided to increase the price of its smartphones and bring it closer to the top of the range devices on the market.
The Pixel 2 will be available in three colors: Kinda Blue, Clearly White and Just Black. The price will vary depending on the storage space available inside the smartphone. The Pixel 2 with 64GB of internal storage will hit the market at $649, while getting 128GB will require you to shell out $749.
The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, will hit the market with two colorways: Just Black and Black & White. In the second coloration, the power button is orange, a very particular stylistic choice. The price of the Pixel 2 XL starts at $849 for the 64GB version, while the 128GB model will cost $949.
And the prices in Italy? For the moment we still don't know anything: last year's Pixel never arrived in Italy and making predictions about the price is very complicated, if not impossible.
Active Edge
The latest rumors also reveal some details about the displays of the new Pixel, which almost certainly will have active edges. Rumors for months have been claiming that the Mountain View-based company's devices will, in fact, integrate this feature, similar to the one found on HTC U11, the top-of-the-line presented by the Taiwanese company a few months ago. This is a system that allows users to activate a number of functions by simply pressing on the sides of the display. According to the rumors, the Active Edge will be there on both the Pixel 2 produced by HTC and the Pixel XL which will probably be made by the South Korean company LG.
The news that popped up on the net add a new piece to the mosaic of rumors and partly explain how the active edges of the Pixel 2 could be used. Feeding the latest rumors was indirectly the company itself, which recently published the beta version of the Google app, number 7.12. In the "release", someone noticed a line of code in which reference is made to a function of the Active Edge. Basically, by pressing the edges of the Pixel 2, it will be possible to launch Google Assistant, the assistant that the U.S. company introduced just with the first version of the Pixel.
Bokeh effect also on the Pixel 2
Not only Active Edge and bezel less design. The Pixel 2 will also have a feature dedicated to music lovers. The new smartphones made by Google will have music recognition, a feature that will allow you to discover at any time the name of the artist and the song you are listening to. As well as logically the name of the album. In other words, the music recognition will have the same characteristics of Shazam and will replace it in every aspect. Actually, the Mountain View company already offers an application that performs this function: it's Google Play Music, which in addition to being used as a music player, also allows you to recognize songs. Probably on the Pixel 2 will be inserted a kind of always-on widget.
For the release of the new smartphones, Google is also preparing the new version of the Pixel Launcher. The new laucher developed by the Mountain View company will make some changes in terms of user experience and will change the home UI. The latest novelty is hidden in the back of the smartphone: the new photo sensor will allow you to take pictures with the bokeh effect. This will be possible thanks to Google's improvements to the photo software, which now also supports portrait mode. The Pixel was the only top-of-the-line smartphone that didn't have the bokeh effect yet: it's not a feature that changes the use of the smartphone, but at the marketing level it's an extra card to play.
Bluetooth Headphones
Google in addition to the Pixel 2 could present at the October 4 event also a new pair of Bluetooth headphones that will also be compatible with Google's home voice assistant. Unlike the AirPods will be equipped with a small wire that will connect them together and that we can leave behind the neck. This is a very convenient solution already adopted by some manufacturers of headphones for sports. In this way, losing a headset during an abrupt movement is impossible. Most likely to activate Google Assistant one of the two headphones will be equipped with a special button. The launch price of the new Bluetooth headphones from Mountain View should be close to 150 euros.
Smart Screen
Sources close to Mountain View let it be known that Google may present along with the Pixel 2 also a new screen for home and office equipped with voice assistant. This would compete with Amazon's Echo Show. The size of Google's smart screen, which will also do video calling, is 7 inches. The device will be compatible with YouTube and Google Photos. According to unconfirmed sources, Google has partnered with Netflix to make an app designed exclusively for the screen. The smart home device will run on a customized version of Android.